Mary Iden

Mary Catherine (Ahart) Iden, 87, of Columbia Heights, MN made her peaceful journey home on Friday, June 6, 2014 after a faith-filled life surrounded by the love of her family. A Mass of Christian burial has been set for 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at Church of St. Paul Catholic Church in Ham Lake, MN with final viewing from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. An Irish Catholic wake will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel in Columbia Heights, MN with prayer service from 7:00 – 8:00 PM. A graveside service and burial will follow in Dow City, IA on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 1:00 PM, arrangements in the care of Huebner Funeral Home in Denison, IA.

Mary C. Iden was born on October 10, 1926 to Joseph Leo Ahart and Anna Marie (Judge) Ahart. Growing up in Dow City, IA, during the Great Depression – Mary learned the values of hard work, diligence, strength, family and faith alongside her 8 siblings J. Leo Jr., James, Thomas, Gregory, Joan, Emmett (Mike), Vince, and Richard. Mary graduated from Dow City High School in 1946 and pursued her life’s calling of caring for others which she did selflessly and beautifully. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Nursing Program at Creighton University in 1949 and began her professional career as a loving nurse of newborns at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha, NE. The “newborn” bug followed Mary as she and Norman L. Iden shared 28 years of marriage, from 1952-1980, and bestowed the greatest of her gifts upon 7 children – her unconditional love, her unending pride and her love for God.

Mary began raising her first 5 treasures in Iowa Falls, IA, before moving to Brookings, SD in 1965 where she spent more than 35 years dedicated to faith, family, friends and community. While in Brookings, and in between gracefully raising her 7 beloved children, she was an active community volunteer and lent her many talents to her much-loved parish of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. She would often say that the Church provided her far more than she could ever give in return. For the past 17 years she has shared her breathtaking personality with those around her in Columbia Heights, MN, including her dear friends and staff at Royce Place and Crestview and her faith family at Church of St. Paul Catholic Parish in Ham Lake, MN. Her immeasurable faith sustained her every moment and into her eternal life.

“Gorgeous” – as her only son, Greg, referred to her as – was an avid gardener, cook, baker and extraordinary individual. She spent most of her life dedicated to her children and grandchildren, always placing her own needs far behind those around her. Mary’s compassion was apparent to all who crossed her inspiring path. She will be remembered for her grace, tenderness, thoughtfulness, daily gratitude and immense love for her family.

Mary is survived by her children, Denise, Michelle, Greg (Mary), Colette (Paul), Paulette (James), Rochelle (John), and Rene (Ryan); 15 grandchildren – Danielle Val, Tiffany, Cassel, Jocelyn, Nicole, Sarah, Michael, Nicholas, Teresa, John, Rachel, David, and Catherine, Spencer, and Emerson; and 4 siblings – Thomas, Joan (Robert), Vince (Phyllis) and Richard (Bettie) and sisters-in-law, Rita and Ruth.

She is preceded in death by her parents J. Leo Sr. and Anna; siblings J. Leo Jr. and his wife Dorothy, James and his wife Hazel, Gregory, and Emmett (Mike); son-in-law Thomas “Jack”, and twin grandsons Cooper and Carter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Human Life Alliance in Blaine, MN or Catholic Eldercare in Minneapolis, MN.